Alternative Investments
Following a volatile 2020 in stock and bond markets, interest in alternative investments continues to climb. But what are alternative investments, and are they right for you? An alternative investment is a financial asset that does not fall into one of the conventional categories – stocks, bonds, or cash. Alternative investments can include hedge funds, […]
The Clarity Formula®
Umbrella Insurance
You buy a variety of insurance products to protect your assets and your loved ones. You are familiar with the basics: auto insurance, homeowners insurance, and life insurance. These policies help protect you from financial ruin should you or someone in your family accidentally cause major injuries or property damage to others. However, you may […]
The Clarity Formula®
Estate Planning Exemption Limits
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law in December of 2017, nearly doubled the estate, gift, and generation skipping transfer tax exemption from $5.49 million to $11.18 million. This exemption limit for 2021 is $11.7 million. For individuals and families with substantial amounts of wealth, this presents an opportunity to leave more money […]
Technical Market Timing Indicators
Carl Aschenbrenner, Portfolio Manager at HCR Wealth Advisors, reads the tea leaves to provide clues about the market’s future. Most people and academics believe market timing is impossible. There’s no way to know what will happen next. It’s true that economic forecasting is difficult and shocks are often a surprise. However, reading the tea leaves of the market […]
HCR Wealth Advisors 2021 Financial Review: Are You Sure You’re Ready?
It’s 2021 and there are new occupants in the White House. That alone is reason enough to do a financial review as each new year brings ample reason to review where your finances stand. After all, 2020 brought the turmoil of the pandemic and now the hope of the vaccines. What no one, Including HCR […]
2020 Year End Financial Resolutions
It’s that time of year to reflect on everything that has happened over the course of this last year. 2020 was unprecedented, to say the least. Many people were forced to deal with financial upheaval and tragedy in ways they never imagined. However, maybe you and your family were fortunate enough to still be able […]
Letting Breadcrumbs Guide You Through Volatile Markets
Whiplash. We’ve gone from giddy highs to endless freefalls in sixty days. And it’s come totally out of the blue. When the new year began, there were concerns about financial markets being overvalued. Stock markets would continue to grow to record highs, after rising nearly 20% from their October 2019 lows. Most financial and investment […]
Can Markets Repeat a Historic Year?
Coming off such a horrible finish to 2018, not many investors were overly bullish last year. Most breathed a sigh of relief when the markets started to bounce back, but didn’t cheer the continued rally that ultimately turned out to be a hugely positive year for financial markets. To wit, the S&P 500 Index posted […]
2019 Year End Planning
With most of 2019 behind us, now is a great time to consider the following financial planning moves, if appropriate for your circumstances. It is important to make sure you end the year on a positive note and are properly positioned for a successful 2020. Review Your Withholding Many taxpayers who normally received a refund […]
A Tale of Two Markets
While there is always a bull vs. bear debate in any market environment, the cross-currents in today’s financial markets are fairly stark. Recent stock market action is painting a rosy forward-looking picture, while the action in bond yields is singing a less cheerful tune. So which one is right? That remains one of the difficulties […]